The Bigger Picture: Every little detail counts

When really zooming in on the first days of newborn piglets there is so much to see.

Photo: SEGES – Danish Pig Research Centre

Every little detail counts

Bright eyes, strong legs, straw on the floor, pink teats, many siblings, space to move… When really zooming in on the first days of newborn piglets there is so much to see. This high quality close-up was made at a production farm in Denmark – for educational purposes. As part of a project to reduce pre-weaning mortality in Denmark, about 30 pig breeders have joined the programme ‘PattegriseLIV’. This initiative takes producers deeper into the world of neonatal piglets, and shares on a minute level what it takes to get each piglet through to weaning. Management details are shared, analysed and communicated – this way producers can learn every little detail about how to help the piglets best, from scientists as well as from each other. Through this method it has become clear that there are large differences between farms in Denmark and what must be done to proceed further to get total piglet mortality below 20% (including stillborn). More about this initiative can be found in the article 'How to reduce piglet mortality figures'.